Buying Used Car in Illinois

Buying and selling cars in the United States is subject to the rules and regulations framed by the local DMV. It is very important topay attention to all the details in order to avoid any inconvenience later. Buying a used car in Illinois requires that you are vigilant and carry out the necessary due diligence before making your decision.

If you are buying a used car from a used car salesman or dealer, the salesman isresponsible for taking you through all the paperwork and ensuring that your records are in order. However, if you’re purchasing a used car straight from the owner, you will have to submit and check the documents on your own. Running the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) against the DMV database can tell you whether or not your vehicle is registered to the current owner or not and whether everything is in order. Since the VIN contains information on the make and model of the car, you can also use it to determine the true age and condition of the car.

When buying a used car in Illinois, you will have to thoroughly examine the car for any signs of water damage, staining, and odors. Buying a car, new or used, is a significant investment and you want to make sure your money is not going to waste. It is also a good idea to request for a vehicle history report that gives you a detailed record of all previous owners and whether the car has been used as a taxi or rental car.

Upon determining the quality of the car and completing the transaction, you must ensure that the seller removes their license plates from the vehicle and transfers ownership to you. You are required to register the car to your name and give it a new title within 20 days of your purchase, regardless of who you buy it from. While you can buy a vehicle with an expired registration (though it is not advisable), you cannot buy a car that does not have a title. Upon registering your vehicle to your name, you will get new license plates issued and new documents for the car.

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Q:What are the various taxes that one has to pay when buying a used car in Illinois?

A:It is the vehicle use tax that comes into play when buying a used car from a dealer or a private party in Illinois. This tax has the same rate as the sales tax, i.e. 6.5 percent. However, there are some counties in this state, such as Cook, Will, McHenry, Kane and St. Clair that have a different sales tax rate. Please click on more links on our site for additional information.